Many people are affected by sleep apnea in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. They may experience fatigue, anxiety from snoring, interrupted sleep, or CPAP intolerance. Dr. Steven Greenman is a dentist in Westlake Village who offers a solution for this serious condition, changing lives and offering better health.

It’s first of all important to truly understand the medical risks associated with untreated sleep disordered breathing, particularly obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Greenman feels it is vital for people to be warned of the severity of the problem.

Of those who snore, one in 7 experience significant obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea means you stop breathing, sometimes for more than 2 minutes, and in severe cases over 100 times per hour! The level of oxygen carried in the bloodstream falls to dangerously low levels with a correspondingly dangerous increase in carbon dioxide. Your sleep is disrupted, and, in order to compensate, harmful changes take place in your blood vessels, organs and brain.

Added to this is another serious risk of untreated OSA – excessive daytime sleepiness. A fatal trolley accident in Washington D.C. was caused by the sleep deprived operator. She suffered from untreated OSA, and self medicated with over the counter sleeping pills. Studies indicate that 1 in 20 drivers over the age of 30 suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness.

The facts and numbers are astounding. However, there is good news, because with treatment, disease risk returns to normal. It is for this reason that we have begun to screen for sleep disordered breathing in our Westlake Village dental practice.

Our patients receive a short questionnaire via e-mail, and/or when they arrive for their appointments. At risk people will receive counseling and kind encouragement to get a formal diagnosis. Dr. Greenman will work closely with your physician to provide the most effective treatments available today.

The other good news is that dental advancement appliances have been proven very effective in treating OSA. They are more comfortable and usually easier to tolerate than CPAP.

Treating Sleep Apnea in Los Angeles

One of the services that Dr. Steven Greenman offers may be just what you need to stop snoring and breathe thoroughly and finally achieve a peaceful and restful sleep!

As of February 1, 2006, the Academy of Sleep Medicine has designated “…sleep oral appliances as the number one treatment avenue for mild and moderate sleep apnea and snoring.”

Studies have shown oral appliances reduce the number of sleep apnea episodes by 60%. With this solution sufficient oxygen is able to reach the lungs by keeping the air passage open through the night.

Many are excited to see a non-surgical treatment solution that can replace the CPAP, a breathing solution that many cannot tolerate. These dental appliances are ideal because they are small, comfortable and effective.

Steven Greenman, DDS welcomes you to contact him for an evaluation to learn whether you can benefit from a Los Angeles sleep apnea treament and beyond.